Climate in Morocco (when to go)

Morocco has two climatic zones: the northern regions that receive adequate water, and the southern regions, deserts on the outskirts of the Sahara. The climate is Mediterranean with a tempered and humid period (beginning of October until the end of April) and a dry season (from the month of May to the end of September). Significant local variations are due to the influence of the Atlantic, the altitude and contact with the Sahara. The closeness of the sea decreases these variations and increases the humidity; the further we go, the greater the range in temperature and the likelihood of drought increases.

Precipitations increase with altitude. Snow can be abundant in the mountains where temperatures can drop to -20°. Very strong climatic variations within the year can sometimes make agricultural conditions unpredictable. Vegetation is of a Mediterranean type and in the mountains we find thuya, holm oak, cedar, juniper and different alpine plants. In the plains, we find cork, oak, olive trees, mastic and argan trees. In the interior regions, we find the esparto plant and artemisia plant, and the southern oases are the special domain of palm trees.

For annual sunshine, there is over eight hours a day in Agadir, Fès, Marrakech and Ouarzazate with an average temperature of 21°.

The dominant climate in Morocco is Mediterranean; tempered in the west and in the north by the Atlantic Ocean. In the interior, the climate is more continental with greater temperature variations. The Atlas zone is humid and snow is frequent, whereas the south has a desert climate. The Subsahara and Sahara have a dry desert climate.